Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday arrested Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani when the separatist leader, who is currently under house arrest, tried to visit Martyrs graveyard (Mazar-e-Shohada) in Srinagar on the occasion of 86th Kashmir Martyrs day. Police, however, said Geelani was released later, reported The Indian Express. On July 13, residents of the state pay homage to 21 people who were killed in 1931 in their move to free Kashmir from Dogra rulers. However, curfew-like restrictions are still in place in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Hindustan Times, Geelani stepped out of his residence to lead a march to pay tribute to 21 people martyred in the 1931 uprising. Geelani took the opportunity to condemn the recent clashes between civilians and security forces following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani. The separatist leader asked Jammu and Kashmir police to stop using excessive force against civilians. "You are killing your own," he said. He also urged people not to harm police personnel and their families.

Meanwhile, two people were killed and 23 others injured when a bus, ferrying Amarnath pilgrims, collided with the truck at Sangam on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Wednesday. The accident took place when the bus was on its way to Jammu from Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district, reported PTI.

The toll in the valley touched 35 after another Anantnag resident, Javid Ahmad, succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The state has witnessed violent clashes after police gunned down 21-year-old Wani on July 8. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti have appealed for peace in the state.